A review by krismcd59
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin

4.0

World-building doesn't get any better than this, probably because one of the main characters in this trilogy is an actual world. The narrative takes a bit of a back seat to descriptions of the workings of the incredible system of geologic magic, which reaches its apotheosis in the desperate quests Essun and her daughter Nassun pursue throughout the novel. The best bits, however, are the memories of the stone eater Hoa, as it explains its origins to Essun and to the reader. The sense of history and its long, sad lessons strikes a somber but deeply humane mood. Fans of the trilogy might miss the complex relationships and character development of the first two novels -- there are few new characters in this one, and most of the action revolves around moving them from one place to another. But there's no denying this is a masterful piece of fantasy, and the emotional impact of the conclusion is just what it should be.